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I honestly don’t know what to do with myself afer the World Cup. It was a month of futbol ALL DAY EVERYDAY, and of course I was in heaven. Oh well, back to reality. I decided that I will keep futbol busy by obsessing over the summer transfer window. I have good and bad news. Bad news first.

PHILIPP LAHM IS LEAVING US! NOOOOOOOOOOO. Why?!?!

The Germany team captain has announced his retirement from international futbol. Well, at least he made a smart move and left on an excellent note. Come on, who wouldn’t want to be remembered as the Captain of the world champions? Today, the 30-year-old German full back and defensive midfielder announced his retirement from international football.

“It is the right time for me. I have totally enjoyed my time with the national team.”

His legacy as an international futbol star is quite impressive. Overall, he appeared in 113 matches since 2004, was part of the World Cup All-Star Team in 206, 2010, and 2014, and ended by leading his team to win the 2014 World Cup. Not bad at all. However, Lahm will continue to grace your TV screens, as he will still play for club side Bayern Munich, so don’t cry too much yet.

On a different note…Real Madrid is apparently going all out on a mega shopping spree. Just yesterday, they signed Bayern Munich’s 24 year old Toni Kroos on a six year deal, for the bargain sum of 30 million euros. Now, rumor has it that they want young Colombian star James Rodriguez, and are willing to get rid of Isco in order to get the 85 million euros that AC Monaco wants in order to give up James. In only one year, little James’ worth rose from 45 to 85 million. I can only dream to ever in my life be worth that much. *sigh*

Umm, so what’s up with Sami Khedira? Word on the streets says that he’s leaving Real for either Chelsea or Arsenal (to reunite with his bromantic partner Mesut Ozil??).

Costa Rica’s World Cup star Keylor Navas is also supposedly joining Real Madrid and will compete with Casillas and Lopez (if Lopez stays) for a starring role.

Dang, if all these rumors are true, Real is totally snatching the cream of the crop. I find the transfer windows particulary interesting. You sell this player to make money for that player to satisfy the need for a specific playing position…it’s almost like rearranging pieces to complete a puzzle.

Keeping the lads on check

Xabi Alonso missed the Champions League final this year because of the old rule

Now the UEFA came up with a new rule that I found intriguing. From now on, during the Champions League and Europa League tournaments, yellow cards from the beginning of the group stage will expire on completion of the quarterfinals. This means that bookings won’t be carried forward to the semifinals (UEFA Club Competitions Committee) What effect do you think this will have?

I don’t really have drama in my personal life (except for an annoying breakup), so I’m leading an entertaining life through these players. Talk about a day in the no-life life of this blogger.

Monday was a very sad day in the fútbol world. In a press conference at The Hague, the European police intelligence agency, Europol, stated that in a 19-month investigation called Operation Veto, it discovered evidence of match-fixing in 680 games. The second thing that came to my mind after my initial astonishment was: all of my ruined manicures for nothing!! You see, I always pick at my nail polish when I watch high profile matches due to my anxiety fits.

To the corrupt people guilty of match-fixing: Please enjoy this sport for its natural beauty. Don’t kill it for us with your avarice, because the truth will come out.

On a brighter note, this has been a quiet week in terms of club matches, because our boys are getting ready to play with their national teams on February 6, 2013 (today or tomorrow, depending on your time zone) in a series of international friendlies. Here is a list of the attention-grabbing matches, including a list of notable absentees.

I guess it is time to admit it: I am a sucker for all things Mesut Özil, 24-year-old Turkish-German midfielder for Germany’s national team and Real Madrid club team. I first noticed this lad in the 2010 World Cup, when I was in Las Vegas celebrating my college graduation. That was complete bliss, fútbol AND Vegas *sigh*. When Real Madrid plays against The Galaxy in Los Angeles every year, I make sure to purchase my tickets on the side that Özil plays. Continue reading →